The Power of Black Cumin Seed

When it comes to versatility and the power of its health benefits, black cumin seed stands above other botanicals. Are you using black cumin seed?

A Long History of Therapeutic Use

The black seed of nigella sativa (black cumin seed) has been used for over three thousand years for preventing and treating many different diseases. In ancient texts and historical documents black cumin seed is noted for its therapeutic attributes and ability to support the body in its own natural healing processes. archeological studies report that black cumin seed seeds have been found in several sites from ancient Egypt, including in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It has been revered as a beauty secret since ancient times as Queen Nefertiti, renowned for her complexion, was, a reportedly a devoted black cumin seed user. The Muslim scholar, Al-Bukhari, is credited with the statement that black cumin seed is a cure for all except death. Ibri Sina, the Persian physician and philosopher, discussed black cumin seed in the text Canon of Medicine, considered a hallmark publication in the history of human medicine. It was used as the primary medical text throughout Europe until the 17th century. In it he states that black cumin seed has preventive and restorative features as it “stimulates the body’s energy and helps in recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness.”

What conditions can black cumin seed help address?

Cancer. Black cumin seed has potent anti-oxidant properties and these are thought to be behind the cancer prevention properties demonstrated in animal studies. In vitro and animal studies also show inhibition and reduction of tumor growth in various types of cancer including blood, breast, colon, pancreatic, liver, lung, skin, kidney, prostate and cervix. There are also demonstrated benefits as an adjunctive to chemotherapy in humans—for instance, black cumin seed shows a potential ability to decrease the incidence of side effects in children with brain tumors who are on chemotherapy. Its active component, thymoquinone, sensitizes brain cancer cells to chemotherapy, making treatment more effective.

Neurological Conditions. Black cumin seed has been shown in in vitro and animal studies to be protective of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Learning and memory is also improved in animals given black cumin seed. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties are thought to be responsible for this effect.

Immune Disorders. Black cumin seed has been shown helpful in autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis, and also allergic asthma, sinusitis, and eczema. For a deeper dive into the application of black cumin seed for asthma and allergy, evidenced by several human studies, you’ll want to read our recent article by CDP colleague Sezelle Gereau, Functional otolaryngologist: Consider Nigella Sativa for Asthma and Allergy.

What Form to Take? Seed or Oil? And How Much?

In human clinical trials, dosages of 1-3 grams of black cumin seed powder has been used (orally) for up to 12 months. 2 months is recommended before checking on changes to cholesterol or blood glucose management. Black cumin seed oil is used orally at doses up to 5 mL or 40 mg per kg for up to 8 weeks for therapeutic effects. Topical use, for example for knee osteoarthritis, has included 1 mL applied locally three times per day.

Tell us – have you been using black cumin seed oil? Will you start using it? Add your comments below.

Our Nutrition Resident, Jim Wilday, contributed to this article. This personal note is from Jim:I have been including 1 tsp of black cumin seed oil in a morning smoothie for better than three years. There are lots of health-giving ingredients in this drink so it’s difficult to distinguish with pinpoint accuracy, what black cumin seed’s effects are for me. My sense is that it improves my energy and alertness throughout the day and has allowed me to sleep through the night without interruption. My interest in doing additional research was piqued when learning of a patient whose list of unwanted symptoms all disappeared when taking black cumin seed and promptly returned when he discontinued usage. I promptly went to the U.S. Library of Medicine database, PubMed, and did a search on “black cumin seed oil”. It returned 1,069 peer-reviewed scientific studies.

Jim’s bio – Jim Wilday MS has a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition from University of Bridgeport and is a certified health and wellness coach by Real Balance Global Wellness Services. He is currently working toward Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) licensure. Prior to enrollment in the Functional Nutrition Residency Program (FNRP) under Dr. Kara Fitzgerald ND, Jim was interning within a New Jersey practice specializing in nutrition counseling and chiropractic care. Jim’s prior career was as both a direct sales and management executive selling high-end software solutions primarily to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industry. Having had a serious interest in natural healthcare for decades, he is excited and inspired by the quantum leap forward in healthcare that he recognizes Functional Medicine to represent and is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the FNRP.

Author: Romilly Hodges, MS CNS

Romilly Hodges, MS CNS, holds a Master’s Degree in Functional Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport, CT, and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). She is passionate about the power of food to nourish and heal the body.

I found this a great supplement to catch the beginnings of an infestation with an intestinal parasite. In young primary school children, after three days of slight anal itching around bedtime, you start thinking how to avert an oncoming suspected threadworm infestation… I recommend one capsule Black Seed Oil daily for at least three weeks. The symptoms should clear after a few days but treatment needs to be continued for another fortnight to catch any unhatched eggs.

Dosage should be personalized to each individual. Research shows that 1-3 grams of black cumin seed powder used orally daily is safe for up to 12 months. The oil is dosed based on weight at 5 mL or 40 mg per kg for up to 8 weeks. The recommendation is to check changes to cholesterol or blood glucose at 2 months and make dose adjustments as needed. Be sure to work with a practitioner trained in herbals and Functional Medicine to manage cholesterol and diabetes.

I saw a few worms in my puppy’s poop, 2 weeks after he had a chemical treatment. Since I wasn’t sure he could start a new treatment so early, I researched a natural treatment. The only thing I had was my daughter’s black seed (whole), which an article adviced 1/2 tsp. I used it yesterday morning. Eek, last night he pooped an enormous amount of worms. I was in a panic until I remembered I gave him black seed. I gave him some again this morning. It seems to be really eliminating the worms, because I have never seen so many in an animal’s poop. I am now going to try it for my kids’ allergies, intestinal problems and my autoimmune problems.

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It’s time that we, practitioners, re-consider the approach that ‘pushing’ methylation reactions with supplementation alters epigenetic methylation expression. In their new eBook, Fitzgerald and Hodges explain how to support epigenetic and metabolic methylation. Learn how to support methylation the RIGHT WAY with The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle — a smart, safe plan that includes diet, exercise, gut health, stress, resilience, sleep and ways to limit “methyl donor drain.

The central role that methylation plays demands more careful attention than simply reaching for supplements. That’s why I’m excited to incorporate the ideas from the new eBook for cliniciansThe Methylation Diet and Lifestyle into my own practice. In this book, Dr. Fitzgerald and Romilly Hodges explain how to use a broader and safer approach to healthy methylation expression, including diet, limiting methyl donor drain, stress response, exercise and gut health. It’s a must-read!

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The Sandy Hook Clinic (SHC) is located in the Sandy Hook Village section of Newtown, Connecticut in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The clinic is housed on the fourth floor of a rehabilitated old brick mill building, overlooking the Pootatuck River.